Ryan O'Connell and Neil Berman: Military pension politics

The passage of a bipartisan budget surprised many after the Washington, D.C., fiasco of 2013. But having both parties working together does not mean the interests of all are served. No one knows that better than the men and women in, and retired from, our military. They are the most recent victim of budget cuts.

What the authors of the budget call pension "reform" is simply a cut in military pension benefits for those retired and those currently serving in our armed forces.

The authors are quick to argue that the cut is small — a 1 percent reduction in the annual cost-of-living increase. But the men and women in the armed forces are outraged and we should be too. Their employer has performed a bait-and-switch.

Eighteen-year-old men and women are walking into recruiting offices across the nation, entering into contracts whereby they are to serve and protect our freedom in return for which they will receive a pension at a particular rate upon retirement. What is not explained to them is that their employer can breach this contract without fear of punishment, whereas if service members breach the contract they face criminal charges.

As a society, we pride ourselves on rewarding the men and women who risk their necks on our behalf. The firefighters and police officers in our communities have amazing benefits. This in part is due to strong unions insuring that the state does not attack their pensions.

There are no unions for servicemen and women. There are no lobby groups. And therefore, service benefits are always low hanging fruit for pension "reformers."

Our military has stressed the importance of faithfulness and honesty to our servicemen and women. The Marine Corps motto is semper fi , meaning "always faithful." However, the same government that preaches honesty and faithfulness to their servicemen and women turns its back on them at a moment's notice.

Ninety percent of our military is composed of people who have joined after Sept. 11, 2001. They, like those who came before them, are heroes. They answered the call of our nation in a time of need.

They are now in need of our support. Without unions and a lobby in Washington, it is our duty to hold the government accountable and make it clear that in the future Washington may not renege on its agreements with our veterans.

Military pensions do not have to be off limits to budget cuts. Pension "reformers" can cut their teeth on future pensions. But certainly the federal government should be held accountable for the goods they already sold to our men and women in uniform.

Ryan O'Connell and Neil Berman are lawyers with Rucka, O'Boyle, Lombardo & McKenna in Monterey. This column is intended to answer questions of general interest and should not be construed as legal advice. Mail queries to "On the Job," c/o The Monterey County Herald, Box 271, Monterey 93942.